Quintessential Poetry Presents Mike Jurkovic: The Poet Who Makes Jazz Sing and Words Swing

Описание: This episode is the second installment of Timeless Classics, a series that has been painstakingly put together to bring you the most memorable discussions from the Quintessential Poetry podcast archives. This episode revisits Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram's interview with celebrated poet, author, spoken word artist, and music critic Mike Jurkovic.

Mike is the host of an acclaimed jazz radio show, as well as the Ulster County Poet Laureate for 2025. As a poet, Mike's work is a wonderful blend of humor, wisdom, and folksy charm. The vivid imagery and surrealist style that characterize his poetry have brought him widespread renown. His understanding of rhythm's importance is another defining feature of his jazzy, melodic, lyrical poetry. Rhythm is an inherent part of Mike's poetry.

BACKGROUND
Mike is originally from the South Bronx and has lived in Ulster County, New York, for over 30 years. He is the president and co-founder of Calling All Poets, a prominent poetry organization in the Hudson Valley that has been fostering poetic expression for 26 years. His widely read poetry collections and acclaimed poetry readings often explore themes of everyday life, absurdity, and human connection, making them relatable and impactful (https://mikejurkovic.com).

THE CONVERSATION
00:00 Welcome to Quintessential Listening Poetry
00:47 Introducing Mike Jurkovic
01:40 The Essence of Poetry
03:02 Musicality in Poetry
04:08 Is Poetry Dying?
05:27 Early Influences and Inspirations
07:13 Themes in Mike's Work
08:31 Influential Writers and Poets
09:47 Sharing a Poem: The Irreversible Future
12:11 The Purpose and Challenges of Poetry
17:04 Humor in Poetry: Just Two Guys on the Astral Plane
20:17 The Unique Voice of Poets
25:13 The Editing Process
26:26 The Impulse to Write Poetry
27:49 Ingredients of a Poem
30:24 Exploring Empathy and Shared Human Experiences
31:39 The Role of a Poet in Modern Society
31:53 The Dangers of Indifference in Art
35:31 Sharing Personal Poems and Reflections
37:23 The Influence of Gracie Allen
40:20 Challenges and Misinterpretations in Poetry
47:39 Poetic Doubt and Creative Blocks
01:00:38 Reflecting on a Poet's Journey
01:03:53 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

📖 BONUS:
Podcast includes six poems from Mike Jurkovic exclusively for Timeless Classics (in order): The Whereabouts of Heaven, Your North Star Still stirs (Sojourner Truth), Mama's Meatballs (off Jerome Avenue), Charming Ineptness You’ve Taken to Heart, Only Here and Saltwater Taffy with Nick Bisanz.

WHEN
Catch the episode on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 8:00 PM (EST) by visiting the Quintessential Poetry website at https://rss.com/podcasts/quintessenti....

OR

Visit this link on YouTube to listen to the episode:    • QUINTESSENTIAL POETRY PRESENTS JOHN PATRIC...  

About Quintessential Poetry: The award-nominated podcast, Quintessential Poetry, has featured 500+ poets across 450+ episodes, reaching 350,000+ listeners globally. Created and hosted by four-time Pushcart Prize nominee Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram, the podcast celebrates diverse voices in contemporary poetry and spoken word.

CONNECT WITH US:

Website: www.quintessentialpoetry.com
Facebook: Quintessential Poetry
instagram: @quintessentialpoetry

Keywords: poetry podcast, spoken word, Mike Jurkovic, contemporary poetry, literary interviews, American poets, creative writing, poetry performance, literary podcast, Dr. Michael Anthony Ingram, poetry community, alternative poetry,

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